Stringed musical instrument



July 16, 1929. J. N. NOVOTNY STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Filed April 16, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l mu b 3 mm wan Jul 16, 1929. J. N. N OVOTNY 1,721,468

STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT 4 Filed April 16, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 42 Fig.7

Patented July 16, 1929.

entree mm earner OFFICE.

JOHN N. novornY, or MINNEAPOLI ,annnnsora.

STBiNGED MUsIcAL INSTRUMENT.

Application filed April 16, 1928. Serial No. 270,240.

My invention relates to stringed instrumen ts and particularly to violins constructed with vibrating or tremolo finger boards, whereby the tremolo tone can be readily produced by the novice and is an improvement of my invention disclosed in my copen'ding application for patent Ser. No. 266,607, filed April 2. 1928.

An object of the invention is to provide a violin. having a yietda-bly n'iounted finger board pivotally connected to fulcrum blocks and held in. position relative to the same. without the aid of the strings utilized in my invention as disclosed in said copending application, as by means of a clip or other suitable fastening device.

Another object of the invention is to so mount the finger board as to relieve the strain or pressure upon the violin bridge and body so that the invention. may be utilized with the lighter as well as the heavier violins.

lVith the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear in the following description, the invention resides in the novel eomljiination and arrangement of parts and in the details of cmstruction hereinafter de scribed and claimed.

In the drawings:

F 1 is a side elevational view of a violin illu rating an embodiment of my invention, the same being about onc-half actual size.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a portion of the neck and finger board f the violin illustrated in F in. 1 and drawn to full scale.

Fi 3 is 'a sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view taken on line i -4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view taken on line of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view ta on on line (3-43 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a view of the fingerboard. inverted and shown in scale about three-quarters actual size.

Fig. 8 is a. view similar to Fig. 7 illustrating a. modification of my invention and showing only a portion of the structure disclosed in Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view taken on line 9-4) of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 8 illustrating another modification of the invention.

Fig. 11 is a cross sectional viewtaken on line 1111 of Fig. :10.

Fig. 12 is a cross'sectional view taken on line 1212 of Fig. 7, the scale being full size. v

Fig. 13 is a View similar to Fig. 12 illustrating a modified form of theinvention.

Fig.1 1 is an inverted view of the rider for adjusting the spring tension at the lower end of the finger board, the scale being full size.

Fig. 15 a fragmentary elevational view of the neck of the violin structure with a thumb guard attached thereto, the scale being about three-quarters actual size.

Fig. 16 is a cross sectional view taken on line 16-16 of Fig. 15.

F 17 is a cross sectional view taken on line 1717 of Fig. 15.

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the peg box of the violin, utilized in my invention, illustrating the method of attaching the fulcrum posts thereto, the scale being full size.

Fig. 19 is a cross sectional View taken .on line 1919 of Fig. 18. V

Fig. 20 is an enlarged perspective view of the spring clip used for holding the hinge link in proper relation to the fulcrum posts.

Fig. 21 is an enlarged perspective View of the rider used for adjusting the springteir sion at the upper end of the finger board.

In Fig. 1, I have shown a violin indicated in its entirety at A, which consists of a body 10 formed with aback 11, top 12 and sides 13. This body has attached to it at one end an end pin 14; to which a tail piece 15 is attached by means of a cord 16. At the other end of the body 10 is a neck 17 having the usual shoulder 18 and terminatingin a head 19 constructed to form a peg box, which I have indicated at 20. In this peg box are the usual string ti ght-- ening pegs 21, 22, 23' and 24L which are alternatelydisposed in the head 19 so that the finger portions thereof are accessible for the tuning of the strings of the Violin. Upon the head 19, at its juncture with the neck 17 is a saddle 25 over which strings 26, 27,28 and 29 of the violin pass. These strings are further supported upon a bridge and are attached.

to the tail piece 15. Said strings extend through slotted openings 31 in the tail piece asshown in Fig. 1 and are knotted and held in place thereby in the customary manner.

The saddle and bridge are so disposed as to leave considerable space between the various strings of the violin and the neck 17 Inthis space is positioned a finger board 36 come seated in notches 44 formed in two ebony fulcrum posts and 46 issuing upwardly from the head 19, as best shown in Fig. The method of attachment of these fulcrum posts is illustrated in detail in Figs. 18 and 19. The two side walls 90 and 91 ofthe peg box 20 are recessed or dadoed as indicated at 92 and 93. These recesses are of such a size as to snugly receive the two posts 45 and 46 which are glued in place within the same. The notches 44 in the fulcrum posts 45 and 46 are so disposed as to normally hold the finger board 36 spaced above the neck 17 as shown in Figs. 1 and 3 allowing movement of said finger board toward and from the neck.

The chisel edges 43 of the hinge link 88 are held in proper position within the notches 44 of the fulcrum posts 45 and 46 by means of a spring clip 94 illustrated in detail in Fig. 20. This clip is constructed with a looped por tion 95 connected at one end with a cross member 96. This cross member is constructed with chisel edges 97 adapted to engage in notches 98 formed in the fulcrum blocks 45 and 46 directly opposite the notches 44. The opposite end of the looped portion 95 is formed with a hump 99 and a finger engaging member 100 by means of which the device may be manipulated as will be presently described. In applying the clip 94 to the violin the chisel edges 97 are inserted in the notches 98 and the hump 99 forced over a hard rubber bead 101 kerfed to fit over the edge of the cross member 41 of the hinge link 38 and serves as a. sort of cushion connecting the said clip and hinge link, whereby vibration and.

undesirable noises are eliminated. The clip 94 is constructed of resilient material and, when mounted as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, exerts a pressure upon the cross member 41 which holds the chisel edges thereof in contact with the fulcrum posts 45 and 46. The cross members 41 and 96 of the link 38 and clip 94 are constructed with spacer lugs 102 v and 103 which fit snugly between the'fulcrum posts 45 and 46 and prevent any chattering of the link or clip against the fulcrum posts as might otherwise occur upon sidewise movement of said hinge link.

For supporting the finger board near its lower endthe same is provided with a supporting yoke 54, best shown in F 6, formed with two arms and 5G and with a studded portion 57 which is threaded into the linger board proper. This yoke is kept from turning by means of a block 54 engaging said yokeand glued to the underside of the finger board. Said yoke is preferably constructed of brass, though other materials may be used. The arms 55 and 56 are constructed with grooves or slots 58 and 59 which slidably receive the edges of. a leaf spring ($0 tapered in thickness and best shown in Figs. 1 and 3. This leaf spring is rigidly secured at its upper end to the lower end of the neck 17 immediately above the shoulder 18 by means of screws (31 and 62 and extends along the underside of the finger board 36 to a short distance beyond the supporting yoke 54. The screw (32 passes completely through the said spring while the counter sunk heads of the, screws 61 engage a beveled edge 49 formed on the end of said leaf spring. Spring is engaged at its lower end by a cross bar 63 which is dove tailed at the edges of the finger board 36 and bears down upon said lower end to bow the spring 60 toward the finger board throughout the major 'por tion thereof. In this manner all play upon the edges of the spring 60 in the grooved arms 55 and 56 of supporting yoke 54 is taken up so that rattling and undesirable vibration of the finger board or supporting parts thereof during the operating of the violin is prevented. By means of this construction it will be readily comprehended that the finger board is snugly held against the fulcrum posts 45 and 46 and is resiliently supported at both ends so that the same may be moved toward and from'the neck 17.

The violin is played in the usual manner. hen it is desired toproduce the tremolo tone the same is accomplished in vibrating the finger board by repeatedly depressing thesame with the fingers used for pressing the strings against the frets of the finger board. This places a varying degree of tension upon the violin string which produces the desired effect. The same results can be accomplished by using two or more fingers in playing double, riple and quadruple notes, it being merely necessary for the player to find the proper position and then to vibrate the finger board as explained.

For the purpose of adjusting the device to vary the degree of tremor or vibration, I. provide two riders 65 and 66, the former being adapted to ride upon the resilient hinge link 38 and the latter being adapted to ride upon the leaf spring 60. The rider 65 is shown in detail in Fig. 21 and consists of a strip of spring metal arched in formation and terminating in two inwardly bent bearings 67 and 68 adapted to ride along the upper edges'69 of the peg box 20 and support the arms 39 and 40 of the hinge link 38 by engagement with the undersides of said arms. When the rider 65 is in its extreme position adjacent the fulcrum posts 45 anc 46 it permits of the maximum flexure of the resilient hinge link 38 and gives it the greatest degree of tremor. IVhen said rider" 65 is moved into position nearer the saddle 25, flexure of the resilient hinge link 38 is lessened and when the same occupies a position closely adjacent to said saddle the linger board is held from movement and functions as an ordinary violin finger board. The

' rider 66 is constructed as shown in detail in Fig. 14 and is of an elongated rectangular construction. At the center of this rider is formed a recess which receives the spring 60. This rider is constructed with ends 71 and 72 which project slightly beyond. the edges of the finger board and by means of which the rider may be grasped by the player and shifted along the spring 60. This rider is held in contact with the under surface of. the finger board 36 by means of a bowed spring 50 best shown in detail in Fig. 12. The entire under surface of the linger board 36 is gouged out to form a recess 51 while the outward edges of the same are under cut or formed with dove tailed grooves 52 extending from the cross bar 63 to within close proximity of the end of the neck 17. The spring 50 passes beneath the leaf spring 60 upwardly through two slots 53 and into the dove tailed grooves 52 previously referred to. The ends of this spring fall short of the corners of said grooves and so function as to" hold the spring 60 snugly within the recess 70 and to further hold the entire rider 66 positioned against the underside of the finger board 36. Vhen the rider 66 is positioned adjacent the yoke 54, a maximum amount of tremor may be procured while, when moved-to its supporting posi tion at the lower end of neck 17 the lower end of the finger board 36 becomes immovable. By properly adjusting the two riders 65 and 66 any degree of tremolo tone may be procured.

In the construction of my improved violin all of the dimensionsof the violin are retained identically the same as in the usual instrument so'that the player does not encounter any difliculty in the use of the device.

The finger board being normally attached to the neck in a conventional violin, the same is sufficiently reinforced thereby. In my invention the finger board being detached from the neck I find it desirable to employ additional reinforcing means for the neck proper which is best illustrated in Figs. 3,4 and 5. In the center of the neck is cut a longitudinal groove 110 in which is disposed a metal reinforcing rib 1.11 which extends substantially throughout the length of the neck. A recess 112 at the end of said strip adjacent saddle 25 receives a wooden plug 1130 1 1 brace 114 is glued upon the upper surface of neck 17 and plug 113 and 1 forms an abutment for thesaddle 25. The

end of the finger board 36 is recessed as indicated at 115 to receive the brace 114 when the finger board is fully depressed. At the lower-end of the reinforcing rib 111, the same is formed with a second notch or recess 116 which receives a second plug 117. This plug is formed with a portion 118 extending throughout the entire depth of the groove 110 and provides suitable stock in which the screw62, used for attaching spring 60 to the neck, may be threaded. For further stiffening the neck 17, I employ an elongated cleat 119 relatively fiat which is glued to the upper surface of said neck and which covers the major portion of the rib 111. This cleat is adapted to be received within the recess 51 formed in the underside of the'finger board 36, as best shown in detail in Fig. 7.

To prevent the ends of the strings 26 and 29 from chafing where they pass between the arms 39 and 40 of hinge link 38, I form the interior of the peg box with two wood guards and 86 which hold the said strings awayfrom the edges of the arms 39 and 40.

To limit the downward movement of the finger board 36 a number of pads 88 are employed as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 which cushion the said finger board when the same is-pressed against the neck 17 and also prevent it from rattling. i

i If desired the spring 50 of the rider 66 may be supported as shown in Fig. 13. In this view twoinwardly extending guides 64 are provided "instead of the dove-tailed grooves '52. These guides provide edges along which the ends of the spring 50 may ride and offers slightly less resistance than the walls of the dove tailed grooves shown in Fig. 12.

In Figs. 8 and 9, I have shown a modification of the hinge link illustrated in Fig. 7. In this form of the invention the butt portion 42 of the hinge link is omitted and arms 39 and 40 are elongated as by means of extensions 106 and 107 which are secured to the finger board 36 by means of rivets 105. In this case the recess 51 in the finger board extends along the entire length of the same and between the two portions 106 and 107 of the hinge link 38.

If desired, the hinge link structure may be rigidly attached to the fulcrum posts instead of being pivotally connected thereto;

One method of so mounting the finger board is shown in Fig. 1.5. This method consists in shortening the fulcrum posts 45 and 46 and in drilling the ends of the arms 39 and 40 with holes 108. Through these holes are passed screws 109 having beveled heads which are adapted to be screwed into the blocks 45 and 46 and whose heads wedge into the holes 108 and rigidly hold the arms against the tops of the blocks. These blocks may be disposed flush with the interior of the walls and 91 of the peg box 20 as shown in Fig. 17, or the same may be disposed as illustrated in Fig. 19. In either event, if desired, the cross member 41 connecting the two arms 39 and 40 may be dispensed with in this form of the invention, which permits of more readily stringing the instrument than is the case when the cross piece 41 is present. In the form of the int ention shown in Fig. 15, I have also illustrated a thumb guard 120 of ebony, ivory or metal, which is rabbeted into the neck 17 and is glued or nailed in place. This guard, is formed with a lip 121 lapping the space between the neck 17 and finger board 36, and prevents interference of the users thumb with the action of the finger board when the same is being vibrated to produce the tremolo tone. This device preferably extends throughout the length of the neck and has rounded corners as shown at 122. This thumb guard is employed on either side of the neck for use by right or left hand players.

My invention is highly meritorious in that it provides an-extremely simple device which may readily be applied to the less expensive violins to produce the desired tremolo tone. IVhen properly applied the violin has all of the dimensions of the ordinary violin and is played in the customary manner so that any player can play the instrument.

Although I have described my invention as applied to a violin, yet it can be readily comprehended that the same can be applied to any type of stringed instrument and particularly to stringed instruments having a body portion with a neck attached thereto. I desire to have it understood that the changes in the specific form of my invention as herein disclosed, may be made Within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of my invention.

.Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

'1. In a violin, a body, strings, a finger board underlying said strings, said finger board being yieldingly mounted and adapted'to be vibrated to produce tremolo tones, and means appliedto one end of said finger board for holding the same from longitudinal movement.

2. In. a stringed musical instrument, a body, a neck issuing from said body, strings attached to said body and neck and superimposing said neck, a finger board underlying said strings, a vibratory mounting for the finger board including a post in said neck, resilient means attached to said finger board and hearing on said post, and a member engaging said means and post for holding the former relative to the latter.

3. In a stringed musical instrument, a body,

a neck issuing from said body, strings attached to said body and neck and superimposing said neck, a finger board underlying said strings, a vibratory mounting for the finger board including a fulcrum post in said neck, means attached to said finger board and pivoted to said fulcrum post, and a clip detachably applied to said post and member for holding the latter pivoted to said post.

1. In a stringed musical instrument, a body, a neck issuing from said body, strings attached to said body and neck and superimposing said neck, a finger board underlying said strings, a vibratory mounting for the finger board including a fulcrum post in said neck formed with a notch therein, a member secured to said finger board having a portion pivoted in said notch, and means engaging said post and member for holding the latter pivoted in said notch.

5. In a stringed musical instrument, a body, a neck issuing from said body, strings attached to said body and neck and superimposing said neck, a tremolo finger board underlying said strings, a fulcrum post in said neck formed with a notch therein, a member secured to said finger board having a portion pivoted in said notch, said post being formed with a second notch on the side opposite said first notch, and a spring clip having a portion pivoted in said second notch, and another portion exerting pressure against said member to hold the same pivoted in said first notch.-

6. In a stringed musical instrument, a body, a neck issuing from said'body, strings attached to said body and neck and superimposing said neck, a tremolo finger board underlying said strings, a fulcrum post in said neck formed with a notch therein, a member secured to said fingerboard having a portion pivoted in said notch, said post being formed with a second notch on the side opposite said first notch, and a spring clip having a portion pivoted in said second notch and another portion exerting pressure against said member to hold the same pivoted in said first notch, and a cushion disposed between said spring clip and member.

7. In a stringed musical instrument, a body, a neck issuing from said'body and including a head forming a peg box, pegs mounted in said head, strings secured to said body and to said pegs, a pair of fulcrum posts attached tosaid head and extending upwardly from the walls thereof, a finger board underlying said strings, a hinge link attached to the upper end of said finger board, notches formed in the upper edges of said fulcrum posts, chisel edges on said hinge link adapted to engage within said notches for pivotally connecting said finger board to said fulcrum posts, notches formed 011 the lower edges of said fulcrmn posts, a spring clip having a hooked portion adapt-- ed to engage said hinge link for holding the same in position within the upper notches in said posts and having a cross member formed with chisel edges engaging the lower notches in said posts.

8. In a stringed musical instrument, a body, a neck issuing from said body and including a head forming a peg box, pegs mounted in said head, strings secured to said body and to said pegs, a pair of fulcrum posts attached to said head and extending upwardly from the walls thereof, a finger board underlying said strings, a hinge link attached to the upper end of said linger board, notches formed in the upper edges of said fulcrum posts, chisel edges on said hinge adapted to engage within said notches for pivotally cormecting said finger board to said fulcrum posts, notches formed on the lower edges of said fulcrum posts, a spring clip having a hooked portion adapted to engage said hinge link for holding the same in position within the upper notches in said posts and having a cross member formed with chisel edges engaging the lower notches in said posts, and spacer lugs formed on said hinge link and spring clip for holding the same from lateral movement between said fulcrum posts.

9. In a stringed musical instrument, a body, a neck issuing from said body, strings at tached to said body and neck and superimposing said neck, a finger board underlying said strings, a resilient support for the upper end of said finger board, a leaf springattached to the lower end of said neck and to said finger board, a rider movable between said leaf spring and finger board, grooves formed in said finger board and an arched spring passing through said rider embracing said leaf spring and adapted to ride at its ends within said grooves for holding said rider in contact with the underside of said finger board.

10. In a stringed musical instrument a body, a neck on the body formed with a central longitudinal groove therein, strings attached to the upper end of said neck and to said body portion, means for tensioning the strings, a metallic reinforcing strip, rectangular in cross section, fitting within said groove, and a cleat covering said strip and secured to the top of the neck to hold the strip in place and further reinforce the neck.

11. In a stringed musical instrument, a body, a neck on the body formed with a central longitudinal groove therein, strings at tached to the upper end of said neck and to said body portion, means for tensioning the strings, a metallic reinforcing strip, rectangular in cross section, fitting within said groove, and a cleat covering said strip and secured to the top of the neck to hold the strip in place and further reinforce the neck, and means at the ends of said reinforcing strip, fitted in said groove,'adapted to aid in securing said strip in place within the groove.

12. A violin having a tremolo finger board mounted to vibrate in direction toward and from the neck and body, and means at the upper end of the violin cooperating with the finger board and with the neck to secure the finger board against longitudinal movement relative to the neck.

13. A violin having a tremolo finger board mounted to vibrate in direction toward and from the neck and body, and means at the upper end of the violin cooperating with the finger board and with the neck to secure the finger board against longitudinal movement relative to the'neck, and a thumb guard secured to-the neck and lapping the space between the neck and finger board.

1%. A violin having a tremolo adapted to vibrate in direction toward and from the neck and body, the string saddle of "the violin being notched at the ends there of, said mounting including a member at tached to the upper end of the finger board and formed with resilient arms freely eX- tending through said notches in said saddle, anchoring means on the neck with which said member is connected, and means cooperating with said member, and anchoring means to secure the finger board against longitudinal movement relative to the neck.

15. In a stringed musical instrument, a body, a neck issuing from said body, strings attached to the body and neck and superimposing said neck, a string saddle having notches at its ends, a finger board underlying said strings, a vibratory mounting for the finger board including a post in said neck and a resilient link connecting said finger board with said post, said link being formed with spaced arms extending freely through the notches in said strin saddle.

16. In a violin, a body, strings, a finger board underlying said. strings, a resilient mounting for supporting the finger board with respect to the neck, means cooperating with the upper ends of the neck and finger board for holding the finger board against longitudinal movement relative to the neck, and means for varying the resiliency of said mounting.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature to this specification.

JOHN N. NOVOTNY.

finger board 

